Wallet

ABSTRACT

A wallet for confining visual intelligence and permitting secret observation of the latter during confinement, said wallet including a pair of pockets for removably receiving opposite portions of a book binding-cover, and a pair of partially transparent pockets overlying the first said pockets respectively for receiving visual intelligence, one of the pockets for receiving an associated portion of the binding-cover including a louvered array of transparent and opaque zones extending in alternate succession for permitting limited observation of said visual intelligence when said book binding-cover is removed therefrom.

United States Patent 11 1 Brauhut WALLET [76] Inventor: Harold N.Brauhut, c/o Honey Toy Industries, Inc., 200 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY.10010 22 Filed: Dec. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 211,027

[52] US. Cl 150/35, 150/34, 150/28 R, 272/8 N, 281/31 [51] Int. Cl. A63j23/00 [58] Field of Search 150/30, 34, 35, 37, 150/38, 39; 272/8 N;281/31 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,303,248 11/1942Allen 281/31 2,369,864 2/1945 Spaldo 150/35 UX 2,400,982 5/1946 Dobrin272/8 N 1 July 10, 1973 2,527,059 10/1950 DiMezza ISO/35 PrimaryExaminerDonald F. Norton Attorney-Abraham Friedman and Abraham Goodmanet a1.

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT A wallet for confining visual intelligence andpermitting secret observation of the latter during confinement, saidwallet including a pair of pockets for removably receiving oppositeportions of a book bindingcover, and a pair of partially transparentpockets overlying the first said pockets respectively for receivingvisual intelligence, one of the pockets for receiving an associatedportion of the binding-cover including a louvered array of transparentand opaque zones extending inralternate succession for permittinglimited observation of said visualintelligence when said bookbindingcover is removed therefrom.

' 10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PAIENTED JUL 1 0191s v sum 3 or a F l G.6. 25

WALLET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relatesgenerally to devices which permit simulation of mind-reading, and moreparticularly to a device for secretly observing visual intelligence.

The art of mind-reading generally employs various methods and devicesfor predetermining or accumulating information from a subject so as to,thereafter, inform the subject of the information, in a mannersimulating mind-reading, without the subject having been aware that theinformation had first been taken from him. For example, the informationmay have first been obtained through interviews, or the like, in whichthe subject was not told of the reason for imparting such information,or the subject may have first recorded written information upon a papersuperposed upon a pad, or the like, the pad simultaneously being formedwith imprints or impressions of the recorded written information. 7

Other devices such as a hidden or concealed mirror for secretly viewingintelligence possessed by the subject are often utilized likewise. Or,by employing subtleties, such as the use of fingernail-writers orscribes, one may secretly write the correct information after it hasbeen given under the pretence that it was duplicated beforehand; or, theforcing of predetermined information such as a page number in a book ora certain playing card seemingly chosen at random, and the practice ofswitching or exchanging the paper or material containing the informationfor a like or substitute article, which would appear to be the original,enables the mind-reader to obtain the secret information supposedly inthe possession of his subject. Clearly, these devices or methods ofobtaining or predetermining information from a subject so as to permit asimulation of mind-reading or a display of what is commonly known asExtra-Sensory-Perception, are often less than most reliable since, infact, most of the methods commonly used, have been exposed from time totime by investigators who have published or otherwise revealed themethods used, and manysubjects are either aware or suspicious of themanner by which the information was obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a 'device for secretly observing visualintelligence while under constant scrutiny at all times to obviate theuse of an auxiliary or trickster device or ploys for relaying theintelligence, the latter appearing concealed and capable 'of remainingin the possession of the subject at all times.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wallet forsecretly observing visual intelligence which, when examined by asubject, will impart an appearance of complete opacity, yet which is atleast partially transparent for permitting the observation of recordedinformation in a preferred direction, which information is concealed ina counter-direction insofar as the subject is concerned.

To this end, the present invention generally relates to a wallet forconfining visual intelligence and permitting secret observation of thelatter during confinement, said wallet including a pair of pockets forremovably receiving opposite portions of a book binding-cover,

' first said pockets respectively for receiving visual intelligence, oneof the pockets for receiving an associated portion of the binding-coverincluding a louvered array of transparent and opaque zones extending inalternate succession for permitting limited observation of said visualintelligence when said book binding-cover is removed therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and additional objectsand advantages in view as will hereinafter appear, this inventioncomprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of partshereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of apreferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the wallet pursuant to thepresent invention in a closed condition;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1, butshowing the opposite side of the wallet as flipped over in a directionof arrow A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top-side plan view, partially fragmentary and incross-section, of the wallet in an open condition;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the relationship ofcertain of the panels pursuant to the wallet construction of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate fragmentary cross-sectional views respectively ofthe sequence of utilizing the wallet pursuant to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, andmore particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, the present inventionrelates generally to a wallet 20 having opposite outer composite panelsegments 22 and 24 respectively, the latter segments 22 and 24respectively being interconnected through the intermediary of adeformable transition portion 25 which permits movement of the segmentsrelative to one another into and out of superposed relation. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wall is in a closed condition, whereinthe segments 23 and 24 extend in superposed relation and are held inthis closed condition by a strap 26 having similar opposite snapfastener buttons 28 detachably associated with snap fasteners (notshown) secured in a conventional manner to the exterior of the segments22 and 24 respectively.

Each of the segments 22 and 24 respectively is provided with an upperopaque panel 30, each having respective zippers 31 for access to atransparent panel 32 over which may be positioned a sheet 34 providedwith visual intelligence of alphabetical, numerical, symbolic or othermatter, such as a photograph,pocket-watch, coin, dollar-bill, etc., thisrelationship being clarified below.

Interposed between the transparent layers 24A and 24B of segment 24,which merge with transparent layers 22A and 22B of segment 22, is anintermediate composite panel 33, which is provided with an uppertransparent sheet 36, a lower transparent sheet 38 and an intermediatesheet 40 having a louvered array of transparent and opaque zonesextending in alternate succession in a manner generally illustrated inFIG. 5. The intermediary composite panel 33, provided in the segment 22,is generally identical to that of the composite panel 33 in the segment24, with the exception, however, that interposed between the upper andlower transparent sheets 36 and 38 respectively, is a completely opaquesheet denoted by the reference character 40A in FIG. 4, the purpose ofwhich opaque sheet 40A will be clarified below. Moreover, an opaquemember 41 extends in the transition portion 25 to impart opacitythereto.

Expanding somewhat on the relationship of the intermediary compositepanel 33, provided in the segment 24, the intermediate sheet 40, havingthe louvered array of transparent and opaque zones extending inalternate succession, is in fact commonly known as light-control film,manufactured by the 3M Company, and constituted generally of celluloseacetate butyrate preferably, although polycarbonate or other suitablesubstance may be utilized likewise. The opaque zones are generallyprovided by forming laterally inclined slits in the intermediate sheet40 and, thereafter, filling these slits with an opaque pigment. Theinherent nature of the intermediate sheet 40 is to permit observationfrom one direction along one surface of the louvered arrangement,through the transparent zones, of visual intelligence positioned alongan opposite surface of the louvered arrangement, yet prevent observationof the visual intelligence from a counter-direction along the first saidsurface. The significance of these features will be clarified below asrelated to the present invention. It is important, however, to clarifythat the louvered arrangement can be provided in any other suitable formand structure so as to effect the relationship discussed above.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the zipper 31 conceals a pocket 42, butpermits access into the pocket 42 for inserting the sheet 34 upon whichis provided visual intelligence. Similarly, a zippered pocket 44 isprovided in the segment 22, wherein visual intelligence may be insertedlikewise. The segments 24 and 22 respectively are likewise provided withadditional pockets 46 and 48 respectively for permittinginterpositioning of a book 50 (see FIGS. 6-9) between the segments 24and 22 respectively and receiving respectively the opaque bookbinding-covers 52 respectively.

In the preferred form of the louvered arrangement, the intermediatesheet 40 should preferably have a thickness of approximately 0.015inches, whereas the upper and lower transparent sheets 36 and 38 shouldeach have a thickness of approximately 0.005 inches. Moreover, each ofthe pigmented opaque portions in the sheet 40 should be laterallyinclined relative to the sheets 36 and 38 at an angle of approximately23, the opaque portions being laterally spaced from one another byapproximately 0.0l inches.

In this respect, if the louvered sheet 40 were too thin, orsubstantially less than the thickness thereof aforementioned, then itscapacity to prevent observation from one direction, the direction ofarrow C in FIG. 2, would be greatly diminished; whereas if sheet 40 weretoo thick, or substantially greater thanthe thickness thereofaforementioned, the amount of refracted light transmission in thedirection of arrow B in FIG. 2, would be insufficient to permit clearobservation therethrough. Moreover, if the aforementioned lateralinclination of the opaque pigmented portions were at a greater anglethan the aforementioned, it would permit observation therethrough overtoo large an arcuate range and, thereby, diminish the effectiveness ofthe louvers to conceal matter as required in the direction of arrow C.

As those skilled in the art will readily understand, the invention maybe utilized for permitting simulation of mind-reading in a very simpleand effective manner. In this respect, in order to perform a simulationof mindreading or a simulated display of Extra-Sensory Perception, asubject is chosen who is unaware of the inherent features of the wallet20. In order for even a novice magician, or mentalist, to execute adisplay of mindreading, a first step may be to permit the subject toexamine the wallet 20 prior to insertion of the sheet 34 upon which isprovided visual intelligence, as aforementioned, into the pocket 42. Inthis respect, when the subject examines or inspects the wallet 20,whether the subject holds the embodiment up to the light, or in anyorientation, notwithstanding the extent of scrutiny utilized by thesubject, upon his examination of the wallet, the entire wallet appearsto be of completely opaque nature.

The reason for the completely opaque nature imparted to the wallet 20 isthe fact that although there are transparent louvered zones, which arealternately spaced from one another successively, and although there areexposed the transparent outer segments 22 and 24 respectively, theopacity of the opaque panel 30 in the segment 24, will impart an opaqueappearance to both the transparent louvered zones and the transparentsegment 24, and will completely disguise and conceal the transparentnature of each of the transparent louvered zones universally from alldirections. With regard to the segment 22, since the latter is providedwith an opaque sheet 30, the transparency of the segment 22 will also bedisguised and concealed.

Therefore, whether or not the book binding-covers 52 extend in theassociated pockets therefor, 46 and 48 respectively, the entire wallet20 will appear to be of opaque nature and, to the subject, nothing isvisible through the panels in any direction. When the subject isproperly convinced of the entire opacity of the wallet 20, the executionof a simulation of mind-reading may proceed.

Thereafter, the subject is instructed to write any information he sodesires of visual nature on a sheet such as sheet 34, and insert thesheet 34 into very specifically the pocket 42 of the segment 24 so that,unbeknownst to him, the recorded information is exposed to or contactsthe transparent panel 32. Thereafter, the subject is further instructedto close the zipper 31, all this occurring while the performer orso-called mentalist has his back turned to the subject, is blindfolded,or is out of the room so as to be prevented from observing what thesubject has recorded.

Thereafter, the mentalist pulls the book 50 out of the pockets 46 and 48therefor, and fastens the wallet 20 into a closed condition with thestrap 26 so that the wallet 20 appears in a manner illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2. While fastening the wallet 20, the mentalist" glances at thesegment 24, and because of the relationship of the louvered array oftransparent and opaque zones, which extend longitudinally of the segment24, the visual intelligence provided on the sheet 34, internally of thepocket 42, will be visible or observable by the person performing thesimulated display of mindreading in a direction along arrow B in FIG. 2,yet unobservable to the subject in a counter-direction or that directionindicated by the arrow C in FIG. 2. Clearly, it is important for theperson performing the simulated display of mind-reading to maintain theorientation of the segment 24 so that the visual intelligence willappear only to the latter person and will not be observable by thesubject in a direction of arrow C in FIG. 2.

Thereafter, the person performing the simulated display of mind-readingmay place the wallet in his vest pocket, or the like, or for that matterin the pocket of the subject, to completely remove the wallet from thefield of observation and may proceed to record the information heobserved, such as the word design denoted in FIG. 2, on the note-pad orbook 50 therefor or reveal the intelligence in any other dramaticmanner. The subject is then told to open the wallet 20 and remove thesheet 34 upon which is provided the visual intelligence written by thesubject. Care is taken to prevent the subject from viewing segment 24from a direction of arrow B in that the wallet 20 is returned to thsubject in a particular orientation.

After removal of the sheet 34, the person performing the simulateddisplay of mind-reading, thereafter, reinserts the book 50 into theappropriate pockets 46 and 48 respectively therefor, and then shows thesubject that the visual intelligence provided on the sheet 34 wasexactly duplicated on one of the pages of the book 50. The subject mayagain, thereafter, wish to examine the wallet 20, however, since thebinding covers 52 of the book 50 extend in the appropriate pockets 46and 48 therefor, absolutely nothing is visible through the transparencyof the segment 24. Should the subject wish to examine the wallet 20without the book 50 therein, but with the sheet 34 therein, the subjectis told to place the sheet 34 specifically into the pocket 44 in thesegment 22, and since the intermediate sheet 40A is entirely opaque, thesubject will not be able to observe the sheet 34 or the visualintelligence thereon.

In order to allow the subject to examine the wallet 20 without exposingthe MODUS OPERANDI, there being a distinction between the pockets 42 and44 in the segments 24 and 22 respectively, the zippers 31 are arrangedso as to open in opposing relation and, thus, the subject will not bepermitted to determine whether ornot the wallet 20 is in an uprightcondition so as to distinguish between his first insertion of the sheet34 in the pocket 42, wherein the visual intelligence is observable onlyto the person performing the simulated display of mind-reading, and hissecond insertion of the sheet 34 specifically into the pocket 44 of thesegment 22 wherein not even the person performing the simulated displayof mind-reading can observe the visual intelligence. Again, in order toenhance the inability for distinguishing between the segments 22 and 24respectively, the wallet 20 is provided with a single strap 26 havingidentical opposite end button snap fasteners 28 respectively.

It is also preferable to have all of the opaque elements in the wallet20, such as the louvered opaque zones, the upper opaque panels 30respectively and the opaque book binding-covers 52 respectively ofidentical color, including black. In this manner, anything that istransparent in the wallet 20 will always appear to be opaque because ofthe uniformly colored opaque elements which extend in superposedrelation with the transparent elements.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understoodthat the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of theinvention which is for purposes of illustration only and is not to beconstrued as a limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A wallet for confining visual intelligence and per mitting secretobservation of the latter during confinement, said wallet including apair of pockets for removably receiving opposite portions of a bookbindingcover, and a pair of partially transparent pockets overlying thefirst said pockets respectively for receiving visual intelligence, oneof the pockets for receiving an associated portion of the binding-coverincluding a louvered array of transparent and opaque zones extending inalternate succession for permitting limited observation of said visualintelligence when said book bindingcover is removed therefrom.

2. A wallet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pockets which receivevisual intelligence are each defined by an inner opaque sheet and aconcealed transparent sheet.

3. A wallet as claimed in claim 2 wherein each said inner opaque sheetincludes respective zippers.

4. A wallet as claimed in claim 3 wherein said zippers open in opposingrelation.

5. A wallet as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pockets which receiveassociated portions of the book binding-cover are each defined by anouter composite panel segment and an associated one of said concealedtransparent sheets. I

6. A wallet as claimed in claim 5 wherein each outer composite panelsegment is connected to the other through the intermediary of adeformable transition portion which permits movement of said segmentsrelative to one another into and out of superposed relation.

7. A wallet as claimed in claim 6 wherein said transition portionincludes a concealed opaque sheet.

8. A wallet as claimed in claim 6 wherein said louvered array oftransparent and opaque zones is interposed in one of said compositepanel segments, the other of said segments including an opaque sheet,each of said segments including a pair of transparent sheets betweenwhich are interposed the louvered array of the one segment and theopaque sheet of the other segment.

9. A wallet as claimed in claim 8 wherein said louvered array oftransparent and opaque zones include a pair of transparent sheets andtransparent cellulose acetate butyrate interposed between the latterpair of transparent sheets, said cellulose acetate butyrate beingprovided with laterally inclined slits filled with an opaque pigment.

10. A wallet as claimed in claim 9 wherein each of said segments havegenerally an identical transverse thickness.

4 k #K I i UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE CERTYFICATE ()F CQRRECTFON PatentNo. 3r744'54l I Dated July.l0, 1973 Inventor(s RA NHUT; HAROLD N.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet [19]; "Brauhut" should read Braunhut and [76] "HaroldN, Brauhut should read Harold N..Braunhut 5 Signed end sealed this 25thday of December 1973.;

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEGTMEYER Attesting Officer "ActingCommissioner of Patents FORM PO-1050 (10-69) USCO'MWDC 60 ft U.S,GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I969 O-SG6-33l,

1. A wallet for confining visual intelligence and permitting secretobservation of the latter during confinement, said wallet including apair of pockets for removably receiving opposite portions of a bookbinding-cover, and a pair of partially transparent pockets overlying thefirst said pockets respectively for receiving visual intelligence, oneof the pockets for receiving an associated portion of the binding-coverincluding a louvered array of transparent and opaque zones extending inalternate succession for permitting limited observation of said visualintelligence when said book binding-cover is removed therefrom.
 2. Awallet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pockets which receive visualintelligence are each defined by an inner opaque sheet and a concealedtransparent sheet.
 3. A wallet as claimed in claim 2 wherein each saidinner opaque sheet includes respective zippers.
 4. A wallet as claimedin claim 3 wherein said zippers open in opposing relation.
 5. A walletas claimed in claim 2 wherein said pockets which receive associatedportions of the book binding-cover are each defined by an outercomposite panel segment and an associated one of said concealedtransparent sheets.
 6. A wallet as claimed in claim 5 wherein each outercomposite panel segment is connected to the other through theintermediary of a deformable transition portion which permits movementof said segments relative to one another into and out of superposedrelation.
 7. A wallet as clAimed in claim 6 wherein said transitionportion includes a concealed opaque sheet.
 8. A wallet as claimed inclaim 6 wherein said louvered array of transparent and opaque zones isinterposed in one of said composite panel segments, the other of saidsegments including an opaque sheet, each of said segments including apair of transparent sheets between which are interposed the louveredarray of the one segment and the opaque sheet of the other segment.
 9. Awallet as claimed in claim 8 wherein said louvered array of transparentand opaque zones include a pair of transparent sheets and transparentcellulose acetate butyrate interposed between the latter pair oftransparent sheets, said cellulose acetate butyrate being provided withlaterally inclined slits filled with an opaque pigment.
 10. A wallet asclaimed in claim 9 wherein each of said segments have generally anidentical transverse thickness.